Rossin-Bertin Vorax: Brazil's BMW M5 V10-Powered Supercar

Behold Brazil's newest supercar, the Rossin-Bertin Vorax that will make its debut at the Sao Paulo Auto Show later this month. Looking a tad like the result of an unfortunate accident between a Nissan Juke and a Mazda RX-8, the Vorax features a carbon fibre body and aluminium chassis. According to its makers, it will weigh in at just 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) and be powered by the same (albeit tuned) 5.0-liter V10 from the BMW M5.

In virtual testing, the "entry-level" 570 hp (425 kw) Vorax was good for a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph). Meanwhile, the 750 hp (559 kw) supercharged variant was good for 3.6 seconds and 372 km/h (231 mph), respectively.

The two men behind the Vorax are CEO and designer Fharys Rossin and (presumably lead investor) Natalino Bertin Jr. The former is a 37-year-old ex-GM designer and the latter is the 29-year-old, car-mad heir to the Bertin Group of slaughterhouses. Mr. Rossin wanted to build a supercar that could compete with the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche; a heady goal.

Production of the Vorax coupe will begin at a proposed plant in Blumenau, Brazil in late 2011 or early 2012. A convertible is set to follow twelve months later. Rossin-Bertin expect to sell between 500 and 1,000 Voraxes for around R$700,000 (US$409,836) each.

By Tristan Hankins

Via: A Tribuna

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VIDEO: 1970 Dodge Challenger Taken to Triple-Digit Speeds on the Autobahn

Now here's a dream come true: taking an old-school muscle car - in this case, a black 1970 Dodge Challenger - out on the Autobahn and winding it out. This bad-to-the-bone vintage ride appears to have been lightly modified or restored so as to not rattle to pieces, although there's no way of knowing for sure until the owner drops us a line (do it, 66PaleRider).

Whoever the driver is, there's no denying that the long-haired fiend has got a pair; pushing old muscle up to 130+ mph in any instance has been known to get a little shaky. The last time yours truly tried such a feat in the old Stang, I recall a trail of white smoke about a mile long and desperately seeking an off ramp (but man was it fun).

Repair results were better than expected, but the lesson was loud and clear: unrestored 289s have a bit of trouble getting up higher than 90 and shouldn't be pushed. In the case of this '70 Challenger, though, we see that's not really the case.

Enjoy the vids below, and if anyone knows some info about the car, send it on over. I smell a feature.

By Phil Alex

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Green Machine gets Meaner: Brian Fox’s Sema-Ready Lexus LS 600h L

SEMA is so close you can almost hear the 'doof doof' music ringing in your ears. With all those souped up Hyundais at the show every year, it's about time someone paid attention to the Mac Daddy of Retiree-Mobiles: the Lexus LS 600h L.

Fortunately, Brian Fox has done just that. His company, Fox Marketing, has taken the LS 600h L and made it show worthy. More pictures and specs after the jump.

First he added a fiberglass aerokit by Artisan Spirits, which includes bumpers, fenders and side skirts. A roof and rear deck wing, HID fog lights round and smoked taillights out the exterior package.

The car is finished in Glacier Green (which looks almost black) with Satin Black touches and Lexus logos. The exterior colors extend to parts of the interior, too. Finally there are the spectacular 20-inch Candy Copper wheels that remind me of the BBS ones everyone had on their Beamers in the 1980s.

I don't know if this is too subtle for SEMA though. The show is all about loud colors, carbon fiber and big speakers. With its stock standard great interior and subdued exterior, is Fox Marketing's LS 600h L a dud or a stud? Let us know in the comments.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Cardomain / Blog

Engine

5.0L V8 438hp Hybrid 22MPG

Interior:
Lexus Light Gray Leather
BASF Glasurit 90 Line Glacier Green Painted Interior Parts
BASF Glasurit Black Painted Interior Parts
Rear Reclining Seats
Rear night shades
Accentz 15 percent window tint

Exterior:
BASF Glasurit 90 Line Glacier Green Paint sprayed with Anesta Iwata LS400 Hyrbid
BASF Glasurit 90 Line Satin Black Accents
Artisan Spirits Front Bumper
Artisan Spirits Front Fenders
Artisan Spirits Side Skirts
Artisan Spirits Rear Bumper
Artisan Spirits Dual HID Fog Lights
Artisan Spirits Light Bar
Artisan Spirits Roof Wing
Artisan Spirits Rear Deck Wing
Color Matched Door Handles
Lexus Satin Black Logo's
Painted by: R Miller Auto Body, Palmyra, Pa.

Lighting:
Smoked Rear Taillights

Brakes:
Front:
Lexus/SSBC Modified 14 inch 6 piston Calipers
Rear:
Lexus SSBC Modified 13inch 4 piston Calipers

Suspension:
Factory Air Ride Suspension
Custom Controller – Adjusts Ride Height from 0-4 inches

Wheels & Tires:
Front:
20x9.5 Rotiform Concave BLQ Wheel Candy Copper Finish
255/35/22 Toyo T1R
Yonaka Tuner Lug Nuts
Rear:
20x10.5 Rotiform Concave BLQ Wheel Candy Copper Finish
265/35/20 Toyo T1R
Yonaka Tuner Lug Nuts

Partners:
Lexus USA, BASF Refinish, Yonaka Motorsports, Artisan Spirits, Rotiform, Toyo Tires, SSBC Brakes, Anesta Iwata, Slammed Garage

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2020 Apple iMove Study: Macintosh thinks differently as it hits middle age

A while back there was a rumor going around that Apple and its overlord Steve Jobs were going to be getting into the city car game. Although nothing official has been announced in the years since those rumors started - and Google looks ready to shut down anything Apple has coming with its driver-less cars - the iMove, an independent design study, is likely close to what people were thinking as soon as Apple mentioned "car".

Designed by 20-year old Liviu Tudoran, the iMove is simple, smooth, cute, and most of all, blends right into the Apple product lineup of pods and user-friendly design.

The exterior uses "photocromic material" to adjust the exterior hue of the vehicle (at least on the transparent parts) based on a variety of presets. Think of it like the Mustang's MyColor gauges, but on the outside of your ride.

Have a look at the pics below (and use our new zoom function, if necessary) to check out some of the designer's ideas and explanations behind them. While the spelling may be a bit off, the idea seems to be fairly on.

The iMove, though currently just a sketch and rendering, will be right at home in the cities of the future. I'll take mine in Vintage Mac Beige please.

By Phil Alex

Source: Liviu Tudoran

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VIDEO: C&D Pits Lexus LFA Against Ferrari 599 HGTE

In 1971, one of the greatest one-on-one boxing matches took place in New York's Madison Square Garden: the bout between Mohammed Ali and Joe Frazier. So big was this event, advertisers dubbed it, 'The Fight of the Century'. Now, two different contenders take to the ring (uh...tarmac). The reigning champion: the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE. The challenger: the Lexus LFA. Video after the jump.

One is a purebred, Italian racehorse with decades of motor racing heritage under its belt. The other is the new kid on the block: the young hood with its 'doof doof' music and unshakable will to win.

So maybe I went a bit too far with the boxing analogy...

The real scoop here is U.S. magazine Car and Driver putting the V12-powered 599 GTB HGTE and V10-powered LFA through their paces on the narrow, sodden backroads of Wales. Technical editor Michael Austin is behind the wheel of the Ferrari while executive editor Mark Gillies is in the Lexus. Their goal: to find out which of these two, similarly priced front engined, rear-wheel-drive GTs is the best?

Watch the video and decide for yourselves.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: C&D

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NHTSA Warns Ford Owners on Older Recall Concerning 17.5 Million Vehicles

In an unusual announcement today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) voiced concerns that millions of Ford vehicles previously recalled for a faulty cruise control system may have not been repaired, despite FoMoCo's notification efforts.

The safety agency noted that Ford Motor Company "has been diligent in contacting owners of the affected vehicles, including sending re-notification letters to owners in many cases."

According to the feds, since 1999, approximately 17.5 million Ford vehicles have been involved in the recalls because of the faulty cruise control disconnect switch, which can overheat and burn, potentially causing a fire long after the engine has been turned off.

"As more of the affected vehicles enter the used car market, the agency is concerned that most used car buyers don't know whether the used vehicles they purchased were ever returned to dealers for the needed repairs," the NHTSA said in a statement.

The agency said it advising owners of the affected Ford models to watch for potential warning signs of an imminent fire, including: a cruise control system that can't be activated or stops working; brake lights that stop working; low brake fluid; ABS and brake warning lights that are illuminated on the dashboard; or the inability to get a vehicle out of park.

Concerned owners can visit Ford's dedicated recall page and enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if their particular model has been recalled for the problem and if the repair has been made.

Here's the complete list of affected vehicles with the defective cruise control system:

• 1992-2003 E Series (all including Econolines)
  
• 1992-1998 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis/Town Car
  
• 1993-2003 F Series (150-550)
  
• 2003-2004 Lightning
  
• 2002-2003 Blackwood
  
• 1993-1997 F Series (>8500GVW Diesel)
  
• 1999-2003 F Series (>8500GVW Diesel)
  
• 1993-1995 Taurus SHO
  
• 1993-1998 Mark VIII
  
• 1993-1996 Bronco
  
• 1994-2002 F53 Motorhome
  
• 1994 Mercury Capri
  
• 1995-2003 Ranger
  
• 1995-2002 Explorer
  
• 2001-2002 Explorer Sport & Sport Trac
  
• 1995-2002 Mountaineer
  
• 1995-2003 Windstar
  
• 1997-2002 Expedition
  
• 1998-2002 Navigator
  
• 1998-2002 Mazda-B-Series
  
• 2000-2003 Excursion

SEMA Preshow: Ford Teases Customized F-Series Trucks

The onslaught of Ford's SEMA Show tuning products continues, this time with a sneak peek of the firm's F-Series truck proposals that will make their way to the Las Vegas Convention Center on November 2. Show-goers will have the chance to see customized versions of both the F-150 and Super Duty models.

"These trucks sell imagery across the board," said Melvin Betancourt, Ford specialty design manager. "Customers in the truck world want to go off-roading, or at least have the image that they can, or have a truck they can cruise in. We have trucks that fit everything in those categories." Scroll down for details and pictures on Ford's SEMA Show F-Series trucks.

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2011 Ford F-150 by Godfather Customs
Godfather Customs is demonstrating that going green can still mean style with its Ford F-150 with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine. Modifications include a 2.5-inch cowl induction hood, bumper cover and roll pan and handle relocator. A tonneau bed cover and liner and halo taillamps round out the customizations.

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2011 Ford F-150 by A.R.E. Accessories
This Ford F-150 by A.R.E. Accessories promotes the mission of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to educate, honor and preserve the history of professional football. Featuring hall of fame styling, the truck is painted with a stadium silhouette and features pigskin leather and materials reminiscent of the gold hall of fame jackets inside. The bed will display notable hall of fame memorabilia, while a wrap on the interior of the bed will simulate the hall of fame enshrinement gallery.

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2011 Ford F-150 by Mickey Thompson
The Mickey Thompson Project TTC F-150 is the perfect off-road vehicle, with the new 35-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claw TTC Radical tires, Fabtech 6-inch suspension, PIAA auxiliary lighting and Warn Industries winch recovery gear. The interior comes with Katzkin leather and aftermarket audio, video and navigation enhancements. For additional utility, the truck features a BedSlide cargo management system and AMP Research power steps.

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2011 Ford F-150 by The Custom Shop
On this Ford F-150 with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine by The Custom Shop, shaved handles, lightweight tonneau cover, lightweight rims and low-rolling-resistance tires help enhance looks and mileage. The green theme carries into the styling, with a custom show paint job with a detailed pinstripe border using a low-VOC-emissions DuPont paint. The interior matches the exterior styling with custom Katzkin tan and black leather.

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2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty by Rize Industries
This Ford F-350 is a motocross concept that uses top-quality products with the highest standards in craftsmanship. The truck features a Rize Industries 8-inch quad-link suspension that offers additional ground clearance. The bed comes complete with a built-in loading ramp, power washer, air compressor, built-in motorcycle stand and storage space for riding gear.

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2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty by Cars by Kris and Airhead Kustoms
Cars by Kris and Airhead Kustoms delivers the Pit Boss, the ultimate tow and support vehicle built off a Ford F-350 Super Duty platform. Built to haul a race car to the track and serve as a mobile pit, the truck offers a bed-mounted tire cage and custom swing-case toolboxes. The interior features custom headliner and leather upholstery, along with sound-deadening material and an in-dash computer system.

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2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty by Skyjacker Suspensions
Skyjacker Suspensions' Ford F-350 Super Duty is made to appeal to the active lifestyle of the Super Duty owner. A Skyjacker-developed 8.5-inch suspension offers a bold lift for work and play, and will let the owner go deeper into the field. Heavy-duty front and rear Fab Fours bumpers are added along with a Warn Industries winch and lights to round out the tough look.